Installing online pipeline application software has always been seen as a major project (writing specs, testing applications, generating project specific documentation etc.). Naturally, this approach is often rather costly (since you pay for the software and a fairly large amount of overhead as well). In many cases this makes sense - but in the past years many pipeline software packages have matured tremendously and are today offered as more or less standard software packages.
A good example is leak detection and location software. Today Energy Solutions offer standard leak detection software that is easy to configure and install and yet provide superior performance. The latest innovations in User Interfaces also makes it extremely easy to use, so the need for training has diminished significantly. It is therefore possible to install this software using a completely new approach:
A sale includes software license as a minimum. The configuration and interface to a SCADA system can be done by the customer or by Energy Solutions (or typically as a joint effort). With the latest graphical configuration environment and standard communication protocols like OPC, this phase is rather easy and often takes just a few weeks.
Since the software is a standard product, detailed Factory Acceptance Testing and custom documentation can be bypassed, so within a fairly short time frame the system can be installed on site. The only thing remaining is a brief Site Acceptance Test where the data interface and configuration details are tested and validated.
This approach has been taken successfully for several customers and I highly recommend it for "standard" applications like leak detection. The benefit is a much shorter time frame and associated lower cost. The problem is getting pipeline operators used to this approach - it has been done differently for many years, and I realize this approach is drastically different!
Would you like to try this on your pipeline? You will be positively surprised. No more writing huge specifications, project management, weekly meetings, having contractors in your control room for months etc. Doesn't that sound nice?
Morten Kristiansen, Product Manager
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